DuPont grows renewably sourced polymer portfolio

DuPont has announced new offerings of high-performance polymers made with renewable resources, contributing to the company’s goal of nearly doubling revenues from non-depletable resources to at least US$8 billion by 2015.

The company’s new products include Sorona EP thermoplastic resins, Hytrel RS thermoplastic elastomers, renewably sourced grades of Zytel long chain polyamides, Biomax RS packaging resins, and Selar VP breathable films.

Bio-PDO, sourced from the DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products facility in Loudon, Tenn., replaces petrochemical-based 1,3-propanediol (PDO) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) in the two initially available glass-reinforced grades of Sorona EP. According to DuPont, the resins offer performance advantages that are comparable to polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Sampling for targeted development programs is underway, and broader availability is expected in 2008.

Initial grades of Hytrel RS thermoplastic elastomers, which incorporate DuPont’s Cerenol renewably-sourced polyol, will have a renewable content range of 25 to 50 per cent. Hytrel RS is expected to offer comparable performance to standard Hytrel grades, and broader availability is anticipated for 2008.

The renewably sourced grades of Zytel long chain polyamides are based on sebacic acid from castor oil. PA 1010 is 100 per cent renewably sourced, and PA 610 is over 60 per cent renewably sourced. The flexible polyamides are intended for use in high performance applications requiring temperature resistance, low permeability and mechanical properties. Part of the bio-based family is already commercially available, and DuPont plans to introduce new grades next year.

Biomax RS-PTT is a renewably sourced polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) aimed at rigid packaging applications. Initial applications are targeted for the cosmetics, food and consumer goods packaging markets. Biomax RS1001 has a renewable content of 35 per cent.

Selar VP is a renewably sourced breathable film for use in applications where foods need to respire. The film is 40 per cent renewably sourced, with the incorporation of a vegetable-based fatty acid. Selar VP provides a tightly sealed package as opposed to traditionally unsealed polyethylene bags, and provides a completely sealed packaging alternative to microperforated films.

Additional information about these innovations can be found at renewable.dupont.com.